Automatic musical instrument.



-. Nn. 697,980. Patented Apr. 22, |902.

J. CARPENTIER.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed Dec. 17, 1900.|

'mi Nonms PETERS co. vnotournu., wAsmNmoN. n. c.

' Patented Apr. 22, T902.

l- J. CARPENTIER. AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

v (Applicatiyn led Dec. 17, 1900. (No Model.)

8 Sheets-Sheet. 2.

m m m nllgg No. 697,980. Patented Apr.f22, |902.

J. CARPENTIER. AUTQIATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. (Application Med Dec. 17, 1900..)

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No. 691.980. Y

- J. CARPENTIER. AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application med Dec. 17, 1900.;

Patented Apr. 22, |902.

'THE ohms vergas co.V Pnovouro.. wAsmunToN. n. c.

No.V 697,980..

Patented A'pr.- 22, |902.

J. CARPENTIER. .AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Applicatin med Dec. 17, 1900..

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Patented Apr. 22, |902. J. CARPENTIER.

AUTOMATIC `MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application med Dec. 17, 1900i,

'ma Nunms PETERS co.. prand-umu.. wAsHmarcN, D. c4

No. 697,980. Patented Apr. 22., |992.

J. CARPENTIER.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL -INSTRUMENT.

(Applicationfiled Dac. 17, 1900.r (NoModel.) 8 lShees--Sheet 7.

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No. 697,980. Patented Apr. 22, |902. J. CARPENTIER. y

AUTHIATICA MUSICL INSTRUMENT.

` (Application filed Dee. 17, 1900,

(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 8.

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'UNTTEE STATES JULES CARPENTIER,

PATENT QEETCE.

CF PARIS, FRANCE.

AUTGNIATIC iViUSiCAL iNSTRUVlENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 697,980, dated April 22, 1902- Applicaton filed December 17, 1900, Serial No. l10,107. (No model.)

T a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JULES CARPENTIER, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Paris, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in AutomaticV Musical Instruments,of which the following is a specification.

'Ihe invention herein described relates to an automatic musical instrument for music previously composed, Worked, for example, by perforated bands, disks, cylinders, rbc. The fundamental characteristic of the system consists in that in this instrumentevery note sounded instead of being caused by passage through one hole or by one peg under the reading-comb depends on the passage of a combination of these elements under this comb.

In its elementary form thisinstrument can execute simple melodies-that is to say,pieces consisting of a succession of separate notes without any harmony. f

In order in this description. to render the explanation of the system more clear, Ishalll particularly describe the arrangement with perforated band, which I have carried out as its first application and which is shown in the accompanying drawings.

Figure l shows the perforated band, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal elevation of the mechanism. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan. Figs. 4'and 5 are transverse sectionsrespectively on the lines A B and C D of Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 6 is a plan of the group of organs that compose the translator-an apparatus that determines the note to be sounded according to the combination of the band which passes under the drawing-roller. Figs. 7 to 22, inclusive, show the different parts, thev j uxtaposition of which constitutes the translator. Figs. 23, 24, and are respectively a vertical section, a transverse section, and a plan of the parts which work the translator; and Fig. 26 is an end view. Figs. 27 and 28 are part sections at right angles of the valved air-duct. Fig. 29 is a horizontal section,on an enlarged scale, of the translator; and Fig. 30 is an external View in perspective. Fig. 3l is a horizontal section of a modified form of translator. Figs. 32 to 39 illustrate in elevation the different parts of such modified form. Fig. is a horizontal section of another modified form l of translator.

vOn the top is the expression-lever 10.

Fig. 4l is a cross-sectional viewillustratin g in connection with the translator a valve mechanism for use with pressure-operated reeds or pipes. Fig. 42 is a horizontal section of a third form of translator. Figs. 43 and 44 illustrate in side elevation certain parts of such 1n odilied translator. Fig. 45 is a cross-section of Fig. 42. Fig. 4G is a plan of a fourth modification of the translator. Fig. 47 isacross-section thereof, and Fig. 48 is a side elevation of one of its members.

The band, Fig. l, is four centimeters wide and has six rows of holes, (marked l to 6, inclusive,) those marked l to 5, inclusive, being act-ive and 6 being accessory.

The combinations employed in the instrument result from the use of one or more of the five active holes formed in a line transversely of the band. In order to avoid theoretical considerations, I have shown in Fig. l a band on which the combinations employed are drawn. These combinations are thirty in number. With five holes combined in all possible ways two more combinations are possible, one containing none of the holes and one containing allof them; butthese combinations are not used in this case, for the instrument should be silent when an unperforated part of the band passes the readingcomb and also when the band passes out of the instrument. Hence' the combination of all of the holes is not used, as the musical note corresponding to such combination would in such case sound after the band was removed until the vacuum in the wind-chest was rclieved.

Gustar/. The instrument is in the form of a small rectangular box measuring about forty centimeters long, twenty broad, and twenty-five high, with a shelf 7, Figs. 2 and 3, in front, on which the band travels. From the front project the crank-handle 8 on the right and the stopping-handle 9 on the left. In the interior are arranged the parts which act together to produce the sounds-on the one hand, the bellows and row of free reeds, with their pneumatic valves; on the other hand, the mechanism for moving and reading the bands, and finally, as principal intermediary ICO organ, the translator, which interprets every combination of holes and directs the wind on the proper reeds.

lcUows.-There are four wedge-shaped bellows 1l, 12, 13, and 14, with a wind-chest 15, fixed on the same board 16, in the thickness of which are formed ducts 17, leading from the bellows to the wind-chest. The bellows are coupled in pairs 11 and 12 and 13 and let, each pair worked by arod 1S, linked to cranks 19 and 2O at right angles on the working spindle 21. The bellows act by suction to draw the air through the instrument, and the combination ot' the four gives great continuity of action.

l/Vz'nd chest-The wind chest 15, also wedge-shaped, is fixed under the board 1G of the bellows and is held open by two strong springs 22, which determine the pressure under which the windchest collapses. This pressure may be regulated by turning the cylindrical bosses 23, on which the springs are wound and fixed.

])[sc7tcmge.-A discharge-valve 2t, opening automatically when the wind-chest quite collapses, allows for variation of the air demand, resists sudden elevations ot pressure, and protects the bellows and wind-chest against excessive actions.

Collector. -Above the windchest is a closed compartment 25, the bottom of which is the bellows-board 16, and from this compartment lead the ducts to the bellows and the duct 2G to the valve-box and the duct 27 for feeding the translator. This com partment is called the icollectoi. lts upper side is the board 28 for the valves. The valve-box is a small compartment 29, placed above the board 28 and containing` the pneu matic valves. The duct 2G, leading to the valve-box,requires mention, as it has a special regulator for maintaining a certain difference of pressure between the valve-box and the collector. The duct, which is seen in the two sections, Figs. 27 and 28, isin the form of a pipe. Its opening 30 into the collector, directed upward, is furnished with a conical valve 31, which the air has to lift in passing from the valve-box 2f) to the collector 25. On this account the pressure in the valve-box 2D is higher than in the collector25, or, what comes tothe same thing, the rarefaetion which determines the .suction of the' bellows is less there.

Dccdnessf-To prevent the valve 31 from vibrating, its stem carries a deadener consisting of a light disk forming a piston, working in a cylindrical recess 3%, obviously closed at the bottom. ln the valve-box 2S) hang thirty tubes 35, screwed in quincunx order through the upper wall, and these lead the wind into thirty reed-tubes 3G, extending outside the valve-box 20. Under each tube is arranged a pneumatic valve 37, like a small bellows, the top of which, covered with skin, closes the tube or opens it, according to the pressures to which the bellows is subjected outside and inside. The external pressure, which is that in the valve-box, does not change; but the internal pressure is determined by the translator, with which the bellows-valve communicates by a channel 3S, formed in the thickness of the board 28.

Atr-opcnt'ng.-r1`liis canal has an opening of very small area, by which when the translator does not interfere the pressure in the channel and bellows-valve is equalized with that of the atmosphere, the valve-bellows being distended and the reed-tube closed; but when by a certain combination the translator is influenced it puts the channel 3S of the valve-bellows 37 in communication with the collector 25, (this being its operatiom) the pressure in the collectorbeing,as stated above, under the influence of the regulator lower than that in the valve-box, the pneumatic valve collapses, opening the reed-tube,and the reed sounds.

It should here be noted that the leak through the small opening from the channel, which is quite effectual in restoring it to atmospheric pressure when this small spaceis cut off from the collector, is quite negligible in respect ot the suction determined in it by the translator establishing its connection with the collector. This opening therefore renders double-acting valves unnecessary for working the bellowsvalve.

The range of reed-tubes is entirely contained in a box etO, through the top of which are holes provided with slide-valves which have no particular function except to give expression.

I now proceed to describe the mechanism for drawing the perforated band and reading it.

,Drawing-The perforated band is drawn in the usual way between a pair ot' superposed rollers 41 and Direction of (Tard-Contrary to the usual arrangements these rollers are placed at the left end of the passage for the band, which moves from right to left instead of from left to right. Owing to this arrangement the words of a song can be written ou the band below the holes, the words moving trom the eye in the direction for reading. The upper roller atl is driven by an endless chain from the bellows-spindle 21, mounted at the right, so as to be worked by the crank-handle 8 by the right hand of the operator.

Draw-rollers. In the i nstru me nt d escribcd the draw-rollers present another specialty. The upper roller 1l has six grooves llt in its middle part, and the lower roller L12 is like a bobbin, having two circular cheeks connected by a tubular sleeve 45, through which passes longitudinally a spindle Lit', constituting the axis of the bobbin. The cheeks press the band against the ends ot the upper roller, which are surrounded by caoutchouc bands 4:7 to increase adhesion. This arrangement allows the six feelers At8 (best seen in Figs.

IOO

23 and 24) to advance between the pressingdisks and to pass through the holes of the band into the grooves of the upper roller.

FeeZers.-The feelers 43 are steel bellcranks pivoted near the top. Under the feeling end 49 there is a branch 50, which passes below and very near the sleeve 45 of the lower roller 42. The vertical arms of the feelers actuate the translator-registers, as will hereinafter be described. The spindle 46 of the lower roller has its ends engaged in the arms of two brass bell-cranks l, which can independently rock on pivots 52. Against the ends of the vertical arms of the bell-cranks 51 bears a bar 53, to which are attached six springs 54, each connected to one of the feelers 48, which constitute the reading-comb. These springs therefore have a double action. They press each of the feelers 48 against the perforated bauch-causing them to enter the holes, While they act altogether through the bell-cranks 51 on the lower roller 42, forcing its cheeks against the borders of the band, so as to insure its movement. Starting and stopping-After what has been described it is easy to understand that in pressing down the spindle 46 in opposition to the strain of the springs the depression of the roller 42 stops the drawing action, and,

moreover, the sleeve 45 as it descends-depresses the branches 50 of the feelers, andthus pushes the feeling ends 49 below the passagein which the band travels. The band can then be moved any distance backward or forward by hand in order to pass from one part of the tune to another or to repeat. The upper roller turns on aprojecting stud, as shown in Figs. 4` and 24, so that when the band is no longer pressed by 'the lower roller 2 and the feelers the upper roller can be removed from the instrument, even in the middle of a selection, by a simple side disengagement. Thelowering of the spindle 46 is'effected very simply. end a disk 55, made with a flat portion, Fig. 4, so that when the spindle is partlyturn'ed in either direction by the external handle 9, fixed to it, either the flat portion or a part of the circular periphery of the disk Vis made to bear against the part of the frame above, the spindle 46 being thus raised or lowered. and

the rollers 4142 engaged orrdisengaged, so as a simple action on a single one of the reeds'.4`

It is in the form of a compact block, a kind of'elongated rectangularparallelepiped, lying below the passage for the band. It consists of a group of strips placed side by side and pressed together by ten bolts 57, -[ive along y79, Figs. 5, 6, and 29.

It has fixed on it at eachthe upper and five along the lower margin. Of these strips some of them, of cardboard, form five sheaths 58, 59, 60, 61, and 62 in Fig. 25, and between which can move ve thin registers 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67, also of cardboard. The others, 68, 69, 70, and 71, of wood, are partitions interposed beneath the sheaths of the registers. 'Ihese partitions have through them holes forming within the translator cells 72 of various sizes.

S7teat7ts-Each sheath 58 to 62 consists of two sides kept apart by two narrow strips between their borders.

Registers.-The registers 63 to 67 move freely in the sheaths and extend at one end beyond them, so as to be actuated, as I shall hereinafter describe, by the vertical arms of the feelers.

The translator is bounded on' both sides by thick boards 74 and 75, in which also are formed cells 76 and 77 and openings 78 and In order that the nature of the translator may be better understood, Ifhave shown in plan and horizontal sections, respectively, in Fig. 6 and Fig.y 29, each of the pieces of which it consists, and in elevation in Figs. 7 to 22 such pieces in the order in which they are placed together in making up the whole. The sheaths 58 to 62, the two sides of each of which are identical, are supposed not to be taken apart. They are shown in elevation in Figs. 8, 11, 14, 17, and 20, respectively. The lsheaths 58 to 62 and the registers 63 to 67 have narrow openings 8O through them. The sheath 62 and register 67, Figs. 2O and 21, have each a pair of holes; but these are farther apart in-the register 67 than inthe sheath 62, so that when one of the holes of the one is made to coincide with a holeSO of the other the other hole of the sheath 62 is obstructed by an nnperforated part of the register 67 and conversely. If the register be moved to and fro from these two positions,-the holes through the sheath are alternately opened and closed. The sheath 61 and register'66, Figs, 18 and 19, have each two pairs of openings 80. Eachsheath and register act together in the same way as 62 and 67. "Ihe interval between the two pairs of openings is greater in the register 66 than in the sheath 61, so that with a small move# ment of the register the even openings or the odd can be alternately opened. The sheath 60 and register 65, Figs. 14 and 15, have each four pairs of openings; the sheath'59 andregister 64, Figs. 11 and 12, have each eightv IOO IIO

through the one or the other oi the openings 80. Each of these opens into a separate cell formed in the partition 7l, into the one or the other of which the air passes; but as the recess 76 has two outlets, so each of the two cells in the partition 7l has two outlets through the sheath 6l. rlhen according to the position of the register 6U the air will pass through the even or the odd opening from the cell which it had entered. Thus it may be understood without further explanation that by simpl)r moving the irst two registers the wind can be directed to one ot` the four openings of the sheath 6l. Each of these leads to a cell formed in the second partition 70, each of which cells has two outlets through the sheath 60. The movement ot the register G5, combined with that of the rst two registers, directs the air through one or other of the eight openings of the sheath GO.

Continuing the analysis ot' the translator, in which each partition has twice as many cells as the one before it and in which each cell has two outlets, but one inlet, the explanation given above can be readily applied to show how the combined action of the iive registers can direct the air to any one of the thirtyopenings through the sheath 58. lt may be recollected that this sheath might have thirty-two openings, sixteen pairs; but the first and the thirty-second, correspondingto combinations that cannot be used, do not exist. The Iirst cell of the fourth partition has only one even outlet, and the last has only one odd outlet. The hinder board 75 has in its face thirty cells, which communicate by small vertical channels 79 with the passages 38, which lead to the pneumatic valves 37. The large recess 76 in the front board 74 communicates by a long slot 78 with the collector 25.

l have stated that the bellows are for vacuum, not for pressure. This in no way alters the reasoning as to the passage for air through the translator. All that has to be recollected is that the iniiuence ot each combination is translated by making communication between one ot the thirty pneumatic valves with the collector.

I shall now explain how the feelers act on the registers of the translator.

Slides- Between the extended boards of the translator are fitted six wooden slides S1, Si?, S3, 84, 85, and 93, Figs. 23, 2l, and 25, about four millimeters thick, all alike and placed side by side. Two metal pins SG pass through slots of the six slides, these slots being of the width of the pins and at a suitable distance apart. The slides are thus guided to be moved longitudinally as far as the slots allow each independently. A spring S7 is attached at one end to the under side of each and at the other end to a cross-pin 88, ixed to the boards, drawing each back. Aprojection S9 on the upper edge ot each engages it with the arm of a feeler. Owing to a greater' strength of the springs 54; than ot the springs cer/,eso

S7 of the slides, as soon as a feeler passes through a hole of the bandits arm pushes forward its slide. Then the feeler is moved down by the unperforated part of the band, the slide returns to its position of rest. Each of the registers of the translator is attached to one of the slides, so that the movements of the feelers actuate the registers. The small movement of each slide is precisely that necessary for the register to move from the closing to the opening position of the openings which it governs. Such is the mechanism which translates into the sounding of a note the passage of a combination of holes over the feelers; but this mechanism has an addition of no use in principle, but of great practical advantage, or even indispensable.

It the apparatus had only the parts described, the sounding et' a note would continue only during the passage ot the holes over the feelers, short holes giving short notes and long holes giving continued notes. Ina flowing melody the holes for one note should extend up to the beginning of those for the next note. The band would be cut in chequers, and it at tirst they could actuate the apparatus, they would soon be rendered useless. In order to avoid this objection, the translator has a linking arrangement which allows of the action of one combination being prolonged beyond the passage of the holes in the band. Each slide has at its end a small steel tooth 90 with a slope in front and a vertical face behind. The teeth of all the slides are alike and in an exact line when the slides are in their position of rest. A broad pawl. 91, jointed on a cross horizontal pin 92, bears on the front slopes ot the teeth. \Vhen a slide is pushed forward by the arm of a feeler, its tooth in passinglitts the pawl, but when the arm retreats the slide is held by the pawl. The same occurs to all the slides moved, and owing to this arrangement when a combination of holes in the band passes over the feelers, causing a note to sound, the note continues to sound after the holes have passed. Consequently the holes do not require to be elongated. A single pattern of hole serves for a note of any length.

Disengagcr.-In order to stop a note, it sufiicesto disengage the combination bylifting the pawl 91. This is ellected by the sixth vslide 93, which has a tooth longer than the others, so that its sloping face raises the pawl, but does not pass beyond it. The sixth feeler, the existence of which was mentioned without laying stress upon it at the begin` ning of this description, works the disengaging slide, and the row ot holes (5 at the side of the active rows l to 5 is reserved for holes for causing the disengagement. It is not, however, to be thought that the intervention ot the disengaging feeler must precede the sounding of each fresh note. The pawl is so formed that the mere advance of a slide which was not one of those previously advanced raises the pawl 91 and allows the ICO IIO

eer/,eso

slides and registers which f eelers do not keep forward to return to their position of rest. Thus one combination eifaces another provided the fresh combination contains a feeler which was not in the former. IVhen this'is notthecase, the disengagerelfects the change; butit is obvious that it' it be desired to stop one note before sounding another, particularly for staccato passages, instead of linked notes the disengager must act for each note.

In the preceding description attention has been particularly called to the translator, the essential organ of the system. This translator might be made in forms different from that described. I shall explain some modiiications which, it scarcely need be said, are quite within the spirit of my invention.

First modccttft'on, @mummia-Without any change in the translator, retaining its boards, sheaths, partitions, and registers, the openings through all these might be made in quite a different manner. To explain the economy of this distribution, I have shown a longitudinal horizontal section, Fig. 31, Fig.

2 showing the hinder board and Fig. 33 one of the sheaths, which are all alike.A Figs. 34: to 38, inclusive, show the several registers. Fig. 39 shows the front board. I willassume that the translator is so made as to carry out the thirty-two combinations. In this new form the hinder board 94 is the` same as in the previous arrangement and the front board 95 is the same as the hinder board 94E, only while each channel 96 in the hinder board leads to a valve, as before, all the channels 97 in the front board communicate with the collector.v Secondly, all the sheaths 98 and the partitions 99 have thirty-two openings 100, uniformly spaced with regard to the two boards 9et'and 96. Thus if the registers are disregarded there would be thirty-two direct passages from the openings of the front board to the corresponding openings of the hinder board. The registers 101 to 105, inclusive, have also each thirty-two openings, half of these coinciding with the openings of the sheaths when the registers are in the position of rest, the other half coinciding with those of the sheaths when the registers are moved; but what distinguishes the registers is the distribution of the openings that may be termed normal and those which may be termed displaced. In the iirst register 101 there are, counting from the left, sixteen normal then sixteen displaced openings. In 102 there are eight normal theneight displaced, again eight normal and eight displaced. In 103 there are four normal and four displaced, and so on. In 101 there are two normal and two displaced, and so on. In 105 there is one normal then one displaced, and so on. In the'se conditions it may be readily seen that according as register 101 is at restor is moved only some one of the rst sixteen or some one of the last sixteen valves can be actuated. When 101 is at rest, according as 102 is at rest or is moved, only one of the valves 1 to 8 or one of the valves 9 to 16 can be actu* ated. Vhen the registers 101 and 102 are both at rest, according as 103 is at rest or moved, only one of the valves 1 to 4 or one of the valves 5to S can be actuated, and so on. Thus reasoning it is readilyunderstood that each combination actuates only one valve-that is to say,- causes only one note to sound. I repeat that in this new translator the openings 1 and 32 of each element correspond to two combinations that cannot be used. Consequently there could be no reason for opening them. I would now observe that in this new form the translator may have a radical simplification without changing the action. The sheaths and partitions mightbe dispensed with, the registers working against each other, as shown in Fig. 40. The attachment of the registers and their connection to the feelers haveto be arranged differently from those in the former construction; but this is a matter of detail which requires no further notice. I have called attention to the part played by the leak inthe action of the pneumatic valve. Each valve has 'a channel of supply and a channel offexhaust. In the example which I have employed to explain my system the pneumatic translator-*acts on the supply of the valves by cutting it oif or reestablishing it. It may be understood that the action of the translator might effect not the supply but the discharge, also that the translator might be applied either for supply or discharge in systems in which the sounds are caused not by exhausted but by compressed air. For instance, I show in Fig. 41 a translator acting by discharge of compressed air. The collector 106 communicates with the interior of each valve by a small hole 107 in the wall of the channel 101, communicating with the translator 109 through the passage 110, much larger than 107,which small hole 107 allows sufficient air to pass to dilate the valve-bellows 111 and close the bottom ofy thesound-pipe 112; butwhen the passage 110 is by they translator made to communicate with the outside the pressure in the valve-box 112 causes the valve-bellows 111 to collapse, opening the pipe, the air entering by 107 being too small in quantity to keep the valve-bellows distended. Asimilar hole 107 may be provided in the construction ofvFig. 5, asv shown.

I will now indicate a second modification of the translator, the economy of which is like that of the preceding modification, but the use of which leads to an interesting gen eralization of my system. `It bears upon an electric translator, the registers of which are employed not to direct a current of air to operate valves and sounding-organs, but to direct an electric current by conductors for transmitting to suitable receivers at a distance the translation of a combination on a band. Before'describing this electric translator I wish to show by an example the'interest which it presents. Let us consider two IOO IIO

musical instruments universally known, one of those which can be applied to the keyboard of a piano and execute pieces by means of perforated bands-a inelotrope, for instanceand the other an electric organ. Assutne that on the band of the melotrope we reserve six of the lines ot notes to write, in the manner of combinations, any melody, it being understood that in the instrument the organs corresponding` to the lines which have changed their purpose are suppressed and that on the other lines of the band we write, in the ordinary notation, the accompaniment of the melody. Assume that above the passage for the tnelotlope-band we arrangean electric translator, the conducting cable of which leads to the action of the electric organ. On now turning the melotrope -handle we should hear the melody executed on the organ with the accompaniment executed on the piano to which the melotrope is applied. OE course to render this application practical the electric organ employed might be sufiiciently reduced in dimensions for its use. It should have bellows mechanism to supply either the melot-ropist or other performer, by means of pedals or a handle, one or several sets of thirty notes which could be substituted for each other by ordinary stops, and in order to give complete effect there should be mechanism for expression. Finally, for this simple organ performing melodies might be substituted any other instrument having strings, blades, pipes, tbc., merely provided with an electric receiver like the electric organ, which latter is mentioned only as a concrete example to illustrate the utility of the device.

'lhe electric translator is shown in horizontal section in Fig. 2, one of the side boards is shown by Fig. 3, and one ot' the registers by Fig. ist. Returning to the simplified modiiication of the pneumatic translator, the two sides 114 and 115 and the registers 116 to 120, inclusive, are madein ebonite, the sides somewhat thick, the registers thin. In the sides and registers for the openings are substituted metal rivets 130 with rounded heads of strictly regular thickness. The two rivets facing each other on the two sides are at a distance apart a little greater than the sum of the five register-rivets; but one of the rivets 121 on the sides is spring-mounted, as shown in Fig. 45. With this arrangement any combination is translated by the formation of a conducting-line of the tive rivets introduced between a pair of side rivets, owing to the elasticity oit' one of the side rivets. All the rivets of the front side are connected to one of the poles of a battery. Every rivet of the rear side is connected by a conductingwire to the receiver. It will be understood without further explanation how the registers, actuated by leelers with or without pawls, as in the original form described, translate by executing a melody in the electric musical instrument to which tite other pole of the battery is connected.

Before leaving the translator I shall tinally describe a last modification which might find an opportunity of being applied. Figs. -16 and 117 show tive registers, 123 to 127, inclusive, made of thin strips of steel, one shown in Fig. 4S, sliding side by side in grooves formed in any way in a block 128. These registers are actuated, as previously described, by combinations of feelers bearing on a band. Instead of having openings for the passage of air or rivets for conducting electricity these registers have on their upper edges simply tl-notches arranged on each according to the laws set forth above. YVithout repeating the reasoning formerly employed, I repeat that in this translator every combination brings only one set of notches into line. Thirty blades 129 rest on the edges of the registers at suitable points. Each combination is translated by the drop of only one ofthe blades. This drop can be utilized either to work a valve or to make an electric contact, and it is evident that this translator, like the former, is capable of playing the part which characterizes this organ.

At the beginning of this description I avoidn ed specific definition of the system of combinations, the application of which I had chielly in view. This system [lows from the mathematical definition of combinations, which gives a maximum ot groupings with a minimum ofarticles. It is that which with a given width of band furnishes the greatest number of notes to be employed. It has seemed to me that tive working lines giving practically thirty notes, theoretically thirty-two, give to an instrument for melody quite sut'iicient richness; but obviously there is no reason why the instrument should not be made with six working lines, giving practically sixty-two notes, theoretically sixty-four. In certain cases also the numberof working lines might be reduced to four or three, giving practically fourteen or six notes. On the other hand, I do not mean to limit the application of my invention to the use of this system of combinations as the word is understood in the mathematical sense. Indeed, other systems of grouping of holes may be substituted which are capable of application like that which I have described, but of less advantage.

I have described at length herein some of the modifications by which the substantial results provided by my invention may be attained. I do not wish, however, to be limited to such modifications, as it is obvious that other and equivalent constructions may be adopted which will produce the results provided by my invention, either in whole or in part, and it is my intention to include such constructions in the following claims.

The device described as follows from what precedes is essentially a solo instrument; but

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the simultaneous use of two,'three, or more such devices might execute duets, trios, and quartettes. If the execution of such concerted pieces were of interest, there would be nothing more simple than to condense two, three, or more such devices in one instru ment. This multiple instrument would naturally require bands wider than the simple instrument and repetitions of certain special parts; but it would present the advantage of being worked by one person and of having only one set of the organs that are common in respect of their functions, such as the bellows.

Having thus described the nature of this invention and the best means lknow of carrying the same into practical effect, I claim-l l. In a musical instrument, the combination of a series of movable parts, means for moving each of said parts from a normal to a displaced position, whereby various positions of said parts relatively to each other may be obtained, a series of sound-producing devices and means controlled by the relative positions of said moving parts for operating the individual sound-producing devices, whereby the latterare individually selected and sounded according to the different permutations of the displaced and unmoved parts.

2. In a musical instrument, a controlling means comprising a series of moving parts arf ranged approximately parallel to one another, and each movable from a normal to a displaced position,andhavingdifferently-spaced operative portions, whereby said operative portions shall be put into different operative relations as different groups of said parts are displaced, and sound-producing devices in operative relation to said controlling means, whereby the latter are individually selected and sounded according to the different permutations of the displaced and unmoved parts.

3. In a musical instrument, a controlling means comprising a series of moving parts arranged approximately parallel to one another, and-each movable from a normal to a displaced position, and having differentlyspaced operativev portions, whereby said operative portions shall be brought into alinement as different groppsof said parts are dis-` placed, and sound-producing devices in operative relation to said controlling means,` whereby the latter are individually selected and sounded according as ditferent operative portions are brought into alinement by the movement of different groups of said parts.y

4. In a musical instrument, the combination with a series of sound-producing devices and a means for generating air-pressure, of a translating or controlling mechanism connected to such means, comprising a plurality of plates having passages formed through them, said passages being disposed at different intervals in different plates, and means for moving groups of such plates to positions in which their passages may successively establish communication between such pressure-generating means and the individual sound-producing devices.

5. In a musical instrument, the'combination with a series of sound-producing devices, and a means for generating air-pressure, of a translating or controlling mechanism connected at one side to such means, and at its other side to said devices separately,and c omprising a plurality of plates, each movable from a normal to a displaced position, and having passages formed through it, said passages being differently spaced in the different plates so that by the movements of different groups of said plates from their normal to ,their displaced positions a connecting-passage is formed across said plates from said means to each of said sound-producing devices separately, and means for so moving groups of said plates.

6. In a musical instrument, the combination with a series of sound-producing devices, means for producing a ow ofv air through such devices, and an actuating mechanism for each of such devices adapted to connect it with such means, of a translating or controlling mechanism comprising a plurality of registers Ahaving passages formed through them, differently spaced in the different registers so that by moving such registers singly or in groups communication is cut off from all of the so und-producing devices except the single one which it is desired to actuate, and means for so moving such registers.

'7. In an automatic musicalinstrument, the combination of a traveling sheet, a feed-roll for said sheet, means for depressing said roll to stop the feed of saidsheet, and a series of fingers each adapted to be engaged -bya part moving with said roll when the latteris depressed, whereby to disengage said fingers from said sheet when the latter is stopped.

8. In an automatic musical instrument, a means for controlling the air-pressures in two connected compartments, comprising a weighted valve, a piston connected to said valve, and a cylinder in which said piston moves. Y

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed Amy name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JULES CARPENTIER.

Witnesses: y

EDWARD P. MACLEAN, AUGUSTE MATHIEU.

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